Platte County commissioners approve 2026 budget amendments after dispute over $315,000 clerical error

Platte County commissioners voted 2-1 on April 6 to approve amendments to the county's 2026 budget following a public hearing that focused on corrected grant figures and a contested clerical error in the sheriff's office budget.

Auditor Kevin Robinson told the commission the packet contained corrections tying grant awards and related expenses to the proper reimbursable amounts. "What was actually submitted for amendments was the total grant," he said, and staff amended the entry to reflect the county's reimbursable share, not the entire award. Robinson noted the commercial motor vehicle grant entry was adjusted to $440,008 to reflect the awarded amount rather than an inflated total.

The hearing turned contentious over a clerical discrepancy in the sheriff's equipment rental line that had been posted as $350,000 rather than $35,000. A commissioner said the sheriff declined to sign a proposed correction. The sheriff defended his stance in remarks to the commission: "I wasn't going to agree to give you authority that you didn't have without my consent and to cut our budget by a $100,000 from last year," he said.

Another commissioner sharply criticized the sheriff's response during public comment, saying, "Eric Holland is keeping a $315,000 windfall by threatening to sue," and urging that a clear clerical correction be made. Chair disputed the sheriff's claim that removing the $315,000 would leave the sheriff with less funding than in 2025, noting that the 2025 expenditures totaled $22,700,000 while the 2026 approved sheriff's budget is $24,900,000.

After discussion and questions, including clarification that some amendments simply reassign appropriations among office holders without changing the county's total general-fund appropriation, the commission approved the amendments by roll call (motion carries 2-1). The auditor said updated amendment documents were distributed at the meeting.

The approved amendments affect multiple funds and offices, including recorder technology, general administration, the county clerk, sheriff patrol and investigations, and emergency management. The auditor also confirmed two amendments reflect grants and that corrected grant amounts and related expense lines will be included in county records.

Next steps: the amendments take effect as adopted by the commission; the auditor indicated corrected documentation was provided and will be reflected in county accounting records. The chair offered to meet with the sheriff to review budget numbers if the sheriff desires.